As always space is at a premium here at Riverside and more growing space is always needed. I have decided to add a long narrow border alongside the path that leads to the goat sheds. I have put my little chicken tractor on the area and have let my broody hen and her chicks start to clear the area for me..as they eat all the vegetation I move the coop along…and so on… I shall cover the cleared area with cardboard and cover that with well rotted compost, ready for planting.
Job done!
I have had some quite severe problems with moles here this season. They appeared back in September last year and spent most of their time making molehills on the riverbank.. That was fine.. but now they have moved into my veg beds are are also undermining the newly planted fruit trees that I added to my little forest garden area. So I have bought a couple of solar powered sonic mole repellent units. No new molehills have appeared ..yet!
The veg areas are filling out a bit now.. but it has been incredibly wet and windy here today so some of the plants are looking a little battered.
…the newly planted willow arches are now green and lush!
The borage plants are in flower….
One batch of elderflower cordial has already been made.. and as more sweetly scented flowers open more will be made.. always leaving some behind to form berries for later in the season for elderberry recipes.
and whilst everything grows and blossoms here at Riverside our own latest flowergirl Anemone the goat kid blossoms too.. She is growing fast!
The geese enjoy the sun in-between the rain.. They are moulting at the moment so we have feathers everywhere…and Holly is STILL sitting on her eggs. x
The vivid magenta sparkly centres of tree spinach brighten up a dull day
Looks like we shall have an abundance of currants..if we get to them before the bird do, when they ripen!
and strawberries too…Not ripe yet ( grown outside, not under glass or plastic) ..but plenty of fruit on the plants, ready to ripen. Every plant is heavy with fruit. Looks to be a bumper year for strawbs!
Despite the unpredictable wet and windy weather lately, there is a feeling of natural richness here. 
Everything looks healthy, lush and green!
Mizuna doing really well. We cannot eat it as fast as it grows.
and the garlic is due to be harvested soon.
Lupins adorn the orchard wall border.
And I have been very kindly gifted this little polytunnel frame, by my lovely cousin…so next season I should be even more prepared for the growing season..Just need to get the plastic cover sorted asap! (Let me know the cheapest option).
Goosegogs (Gooseberries) are looking good but still unripe. I have four gooseberry bushes here so far.
All in all it is all looking udderly fantastic.
….and I think Anemone (nicknamed Nemmie) agrees :-)
Filed under: Backyard Farming, eco living, Environment, Gardening, Goats, Low Impact Living, Moles, poultry, Self-sufficiency, Smallholding, sustainable, Uncategorized Tagged: chicken tractor, forest garden, gardening, goats, growing food, kids, lupins, moles, no-dig veg beds, permaculture, pond, vegetable growing
